E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > E90 differential fix/replace



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-27-2020, 12:29 PM   #1
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

E90 differential fix/replace

I own a 2009 BMW 323i. The differential just went out, and is making noise so I am wondering is it better to replace the differential with one from a auto recyler with warranty for around $800-$1000 CAD, or spend $250 CAD for the repair kit and get a shop to repair mine?

Also, I have been quoted between $500-$700 from transmission shops to simply take my differential off and install a new one, is that fair pricing?

Thank you for your input!

Btw I am located in Ontario, Canada. If anyone knows any good shops to take my car for this repair I am all ears!
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 03:26 PM   #2
e90yyc
Art Collector
e90yyc's Avatar
2424
Rep
3,450
Posts

Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT)
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Just to confirm, your car is RWD, right? And when you say the diff “went out,” is the car drivable? If so, is the noise pretty loud?

Regardless, those prices are ridiculous. (More the part pricing than the labour.) I have a barely-used rear diff (donor car had 30k miles) in my garage that I paid $220 USD for—and I thought that was a lot. I bought it because it was such a clean, low-mileage part, and so it was worth the price to me.

Rear diff replacement entails dropping the exhaust, disconnecting the prop shaft, and disconnecting the rear axles. Not effortless, but certainly not a $700 job IMO.

I also think warranty on a part like this isn’t worth much so long as the donor vehicle is low mileage and the part is in good shape. So paying $800-1000 for a used part sounds insane to me, warranty or no.

One other thing to consider with used parts is the seals; make sure to replace them if they aren’t in good shape. Some would say (and I’d be inclined to agree) that you should replace them regardless of how good they look. These will run you about $100 or more for the three seals you’ll need.

Okay, so what should you do? I would replace the whole diff, don’t bother with the repair kit. Look on eBay or Car-Part.com and find a good low-mileage replacement. Make sure you’re buying the correct diff, as the final drive ratio can vary!

Once you’ve got your replacement diff, phone a few more shops if this isn’t a job you want to do yourself. I don’t think this is necessarily a specialty job for a transmission shop either, so find a few local independent BMW/Euro mechanics and see how they compare. The most I could see paying for this job would be around $400, which assumes $150/hour for labour. I hope others can chime in on what’s reasonable (bearing in mind we’re talking CAD $). I have a friend who runs a transmission shop here in Alberta so I’ll ask him what they would charge—maybe I’m off base in saying $500 is too much.
__________________
When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 03:44 PM   #3
E92William
Banned
1998
Rep
2,026
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 328xi
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 328xi  [0.00]
Get a 3.91 differential and throw it in your car. You can get them on eBay for fairly cheap. Installation is a bit time consuming but very doable.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 04:15 PM   #4
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

The one scrap yard wants $700 plus tax for a dif with 230 thousand km on it plus 180 for a year warranty. Another place wanted around $1250 with warranty with like 170 thousand km. But a pull a part car place told me around $100 for the dif but I have to take it off the car myself, which I don’t know how to do so I found someone online that will go with me and he will remove it. He claims that he can tell if the dif is good jus by looking at it, is that true?
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 04:17 PM   #5
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Also I was told only transmission shops install diffs, is that true or do mechanics as well?
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 05:17 PM   #6
Ozzie335i
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
659
Rep
1,525
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: DFW

iTrader: (1)

The prices you are being quoted are a ripoff. Must be BMW. Take the guy, and pay the 100 bucks. It's a 323, not a hot rod, so as long as it isn't leaking the scrap yard one will most likely be fine. Obviously change out the fluid.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 05:21 PM   #7
mecheng77
Colonel
mecheng77's Avatar
Canada
1005
Rep
2,239
Posts

Drives: 2007 328i / 2014 M235i
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ontario Canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
  [0.00]
I've heard 323i diffs are crap get what they used in the 328i if it can fit
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 06:50 PM   #8
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

BMW wants $3000 for diff lol
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 08:04 PM   #9
E92William
Banned
1998
Rep
2,026
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 328xi
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 328xi  [0.00]
At this point in these cars age it's not worth it at all to get a diff from bmw. They're gonna have to get those they have in stock and throw them away because nobody is gonna buy a new one. Just get the scrap yard one make sure it turns around good and all and good to go.

Installation and removal is not the end of the world if you're mechanically inclined. Just unbolting 3 of the 6 bolts at the driveshaft (replace rear guibo if you have it) then unbolt the 6 torx in each axle at the back and unbolt the thing off the diff mounts. I'm still for you getting a diff from a 328xi auto
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 08:07 PM   #10
e90yyc
Art Collector
e90yyc's Avatar
2424
Rep
3,450
Posts

Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT)
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Menace View Post
The one scrap yard wants $700 plus tax for a dif with 230 thousand km on it plus 180 for a year warranty. Another place wanted around $1250 with warranty with like 170 thousand km. But a pull a part car place told me around $100 for the dif but I have to take it off the car myself, which I don’t know how to do so I found someone online that will go with me and he will remove it. He claims that he can tell if the dif is good jus by looking at it, is that true?
Tell them to get fucked at those prices. That’s an absolute joke.

But like I said, check out eBay. Yes shipping isn’t cheap but the final price will still be very reasonable if you pick the right one.

How much is this guy charging to pull off the diff? You may still be better off with eBay.
__________________
When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 09:01 PM   #11
zomski101
Private First Class
United_States
55
Rep
147
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 335i
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

I paid an indy BMW shop $350 to swap the whole dif with a used one I found for 100 bucks with a 30 day warranty. I recommend using this site if you haven't to finding a used part: www.car-part.com/
__________________
09 335i - MMP stage 3, fbo
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 10:28 PM   #12
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by e90yyc View Post
Tell them to get fucked at those prices. That’s an absolute joke.

But like I said, check out eBay. Yes shipping isn’t cheap but the final price will still be very reasonable if you pick the right one.

How much is this guy charging to pull off the diff? You may still be better off with eBay.
He’s a random dude off kijiji, how much is fair? He said around $80
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 10:29 PM   #13
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zomski101 View Post
I paid an indy BMW shop $350 to swap the whole dif with a used one I found for 100 bucks with a 30 day warranty. I recommend using this site if you haven't to finding a used part: www.car-part.com/
Everytime I put my car in it says they cannot find anything
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 10:31 PM   #14
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
At this point in these cars age it's not worth it at all to get a diff from bmw. They're gonna have to get those they have in stock and throw them away because nobody is gonna buy a new one. Just get the scrap yard one make sure it turns around good and all and good to go.

Installation and removal is not the end of the world if you're mechanically inclined. Just unbolting 3 of the 6 bolts at the driveshaft (replace rear guibo if you have it) then unbolt the 6 torx in each axle at the back and unbolt the thing off the diff mounts. I'm still for you getting a diff from a 328xi auto
The guy that will go with me to take the dif off at the scrap yard says you are able to tell if the dif is good by just looking at it or opening it, is that true? Or does it have to be installed on the car to tell if it’s good
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2020, 11:50 PM   #15
tlow98
Brigadier General
2161
Rep
4,968
Posts

Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Menace View Post
Everytime I put my car in it says they cannot find anything
Yeah put in 328i xdrive. Your car’s diff was a bad design. Use the xDrive 3.91 rear diff.
Appreciate 1
E92William1998.00
      09-28-2020, 12:38 AM   #16
E92William
Banned
1998
Rep
2,026
Posts

Drives: 2008 E92 328xi
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW 328xi  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Menace View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E92William View Post
At this point in these cars age it's not worth it at all to get a diff from bmw. They're gonna have to get those they have in stock and throw them away because nobody is gonna buy a new one. Just get the scrap yard one make sure it turns around good and all and good to go.

Installation and removal is not the end of the world if you're mechanically inclined. Just unbolting 3 of the 6 bolts at the driveshaft (replace rear guibo if you have it) then unbolt the 6 torx in each axle at the back and unbolt the thing off the diff mounts. I'm still for you getting a diff from a 328xi auto
The guy that will go with me to take the dif off at the scrap yard says you are able to tell if the dif is good by just looking at it or opening it, is that true? Or does it have to be installed on the car to tell if it’s good
Lol I've never heard of that. That's the equivalent of saying you can look at a transmission from the outside and know if it's good or not. At least he has to turn the gears and such and see if it feels good or is too tight etc. But if he gives you some kind of warranty for the service go ahead. Make sure it's an automatic xdrive 328i/325i you get it from. Should give some pep to your 323 and these differentials basically never go out.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 12:56 AM   #17
Tunafish
Banned
United_States
262
Rep
818
Posts

Drives: BMW 335i N55
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Home

iTrader: (0)

Theres some truth in that.. You can see if teeth are missing on the ring and pinion (differentials are not complicated).. See if anything is loose .. You can jack up the car rear end and once you turn one tire the other should turn opposite without issue.. Most of your issue with differential will be vibration and bearings..

Test to see if diff is good includes slope in ring and pinion gears and pinion end play..
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 07:20 AM   #18
mook1178
Second Lieutenant
84
Rep
252
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i xdrive 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (0)

Just my 2 cents.

I have a 2011 335i. The rear differential started to make a loud nose. My Indy shop said I may need a new, but wanted to change the fluid in the differential first. After the fluid change, the nose was highly reduced and disappeared altogether about 1500 miles later.

So I would change the differential fluid before anything else.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 08:01 AM   #19
avocet
Major
250
Rep
1,156
Posts

Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver bc

iTrader: (0)

Unfortunately, Canada is a very different market for used BMW parts. I have bought a few diffs from the states and have gotten them all for well under 200usd shipped. BUT I have been able to get them shipped to a US address and pick them up and drive them through the border. Under $200 bucks at my crossing and its almost guaranteed you'll get waved through.
With our current situation, not anymore.
Up here the wreckers all wanted over $750 Cdn, and the used market was very shallow.
Free shipping is non existent up here, and getting things shipped up from the US is very expensive for heavy items such as a diff. And pretty much all carriers will charge brokerage fees as well.
Keep your eyes peeled for someone parting out a car and show up with cash. Like I said, there isn't alot of market here so cash talks. And find out your gearing and compatibility with other models(ie 328i). I have a 3.23 328i diff that I'd sell for $150 but it would absolutely have to be local pick up in Vancouver. I know that doesn't help but maybe it gives an idea of our smaller market.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 09:14 AM   #20
nsjames
Brigadier General
2440
Rep
4,333
Posts

Drives: 08 328xi Touring
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ohio

iTrader: (0)

if you free spin a ring and pinion you can feel if it has any broken things inside, or if the backlash is excessive, or if the bearings are already bad.

but that's no guarantee that a bearing doesn't fail in 10K miles.

the #1 reason a diff goes bad is because it had a leak and ran out of fluid.
If you're going to the hassle of swapping a diff, put new seals in it. it's easy and cheap when it's out of the car.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 09:32 AM   #21
e90yyc
Art Collector
e90yyc's Avatar
2424
Rep
3,450
Posts

Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT)
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Just to reiterate my comments from earlier, look on eBay. I agree the used BMW part market is BS here in Canada.

I’ve had everything I’ve bought on eBay shipped to my door. I paid $90 USD for the diff shipping, and while that was a lot, I just considered it part of the price. I’ve also bought an entire fender, too. The reason I’ve done this is because the actual price of the part has been so low that even when I factor in high-ish shipping, I’m still coming out ahead...
__________________
When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2020, 10:12 AM   #22
E90Menace
Second Lieutenant
44
Rep
217
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mook1178 View Post
Just my 2 cents.

I have a 2011 335i. The rear differential started to make a loud nose. My Indy shop said I may need a new, but wanted to change the fluid in the differential first. After the fluid change, the nose was highly reduced and disappeared altogether about 1500 miles later.

So I would change the differential fluid before anything else.
The diff is making a clapping noise now, like helicopter sound
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST